Letter: Electric legislation would protect the most needy

Wednesday

May 2, 2018 at 12:15 AM

Municipal electric monopolies are not subject to governance by the Public Utility Commission, and therefore can (and sometimes do) shut off electricity in the winter — in homes with children, in homes with seniors and in homes where disabled residents live. Additionally, they can raise electricity rates at any time, while their customers have no choice in where to purchase their electricity.

When my team began working on this legislation, in January 2017, I attempted to negotiate on behalf of the consumers of Ellwood Electric. There was little engagement on the part of Ellwood City Borough officials or their taxpayer-funded lobbying groups — PA Municipal Electric Association and PA Association of Boroughs.

This legislation was written, revised and vetted by experts to ensure that Ellwood City residents would be best represented and treated like residents who live in the other 98.6 percent of municipalities across Pennsylvania. The following groups have endorsed this legislation on behalf of their members: AARP, PA Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, PA Manufacturers’ Association, Americans for Prosperity, SEIU-32BJ and the PA Catholic Alliance, which reports to the Catholic bishops across Pennsylvania.

While challenging the status quo sometimes ruffles feathers, I believe that the phrase “This is the way it has always been done” is among the most dangerous in the English language. This legislation will lower energy costs for consumers, encourage business development by providing predictable utility expenses and provide consumer protections for the most needy among us.

State Rep. Aaron J. Bernstine, New Beaver

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